Here he talks to The Queenstown Times about his life on the comedy highway, meeting Chris Rock, and some rather diplomatic views on organic sleeping pills.
Originally from Derry in Northern Ireland, Jimeoin (pronounced Jim Owen) last performed in Queenstown two years ago.
"I did everything last time I was in Queenstown. I did the bungy, which was just brilliant. They opened the skate bowl while I was there; you guys have such a great skate bowl. I did some jet-skiing and caught a big trout. Not at the same time."
Jimeoin has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Montreal Just For Laughs comedy festival, and has toured to New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Ireland and the Far East.
A builder by trade, he was not successful in comedy until he arrived in Australia at the age of 22 and decided to give it a go at a local pub.
"I was working as a builder and I lost my job. Then, like a bungy jump, I had my hand forced. I stepped up at the pub one night and it went quite well ... After that, I started doing five-minute performances and then 10 minutes. I just kept on climbing."
Jimeoin says that growing up, he always had an interest in a comedy, but he enjoys the work of too many comedians to name a single comedic hero.
"In terms of stand-up, Chris Rock is one favourite. I supported him for three nights a little while back. He's got such amazing energy. I didn't really try to befriend him, because most people just want to be left alone ... The way he works with stuff is amazing."
With a strong personal affection for his hometown in Northern Ireland, Jimeoin regularly flies the long distance from Australia and says he is really thankful for the recent expansion of the sleeping pill market.
"Sleeping pills are just great. I've got a lot of good memories thanks to sleeping pills. I had a go with organic sleeping pills the other day. They weren't so great - I remembered everything."
FREE TICKETS
The Queenstown Times has a pair of tickets to Jimeoin's performance at Queenstown Memorial Hall on November 26.
To win, simply be the first reader to email the correct answer to the following question to naeem.alvi@queenstowntimes.co.nz
What is Jimeoin's surname?
